Development of NaNO 2-O 2 system as an oxidant at uranium leaching processes

Abstract

A process of ferrous ion oxidation by sodium nitrite in sulfate uranium in situ leaching solutions was investigated. Kinetic, spectrophotometric, and heat effect studies have been made in order to investigate the chemistry of the oxidation process. As a result the method of ferrous ion oxidation in uranium in situ leaching solution was developed that makes possible to decrease sodium nitrite consumption by 20-30 times comparing with traditional oxidation technique. It was founded also that process of ferrous ion oxidation can be conducted with partial sodium nitrite recirculation. © 2012 Akadémiai Kiadó.